My first experience isn't a good one.....
02-09-2004, 03:18 PM
#1
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My first experience isn't a good one.....
So soon after purchasing my '02 Wrx w/ 21K miles, i hear a strange "pinging" like noise coming from the engine compartment under relief of the gas pedal when doing moderate acceleration above 3K rpms........
Take it in for warranty work and Subaru tells me that the car was in a major accident that caused engine damage that would NOT be covered under warranty.
First off the owner told me of a "mild" accident and had everything restored. Didn't tell me of any frame or engine damage. CARFAX does not list ANYTHING about this accident. Clean record.
Subaru claims the accident caused this damage and will not consider this warranty work.
Why not? Not only do i feel cheated by the seller, but i feel cheated by Subaru. How is there proof that the engine work is even related to the accident? (then again i have no way of proving otherwise).
Just wanted some insight......<a very frustrated NEW subaru owner>
Take it in for warranty work and Subaru tells me that the car was in a major accident that caused engine damage that would NOT be covered under warranty.
First off the owner told me of a "mild" accident and had everything restored. Didn't tell me of any frame or engine damage. CARFAX does not list ANYTHING about this accident. Clean record.
Subaru claims the accident caused this damage and will not consider this warranty work.
Why not? Not only do i feel cheated by the seller, but i feel cheated by Subaru. How is there proof that the engine work is even related to the accident? (then again i have no way of proving otherwise).
Just wanted some insight......<a very frustrated NEW subaru owner>
02-09-2004, 03:23 PM
#2
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Re: My first experience isn't a good one.....
Originally posted by dfung
So soon after purchasing my '02 Wrx w/ 21K miles, i hear a strange "pinging" like noise coming from the engine compartment under relief of the gas pedal when doing moderate acceleration above 3K rpms........
Take it in for warranty work and Subaru tells me that the car was in a major accident that caused engine damage that would NOT be covered under warranty.
First off the owner told me of a "mild" accident and had everything restored. Didn't tell me of any frame or engine damage. CARFAX does not list ANYTHING about this accident. Clean record.
Subaru claims the accident caused this damage and will not consider this warranty work.
Why not? Not only do i feel cheated by the seller, but i feel cheated by Subaru. How is there proof that the engine work is even related to the accident? (then again i have no way of proving otherwise).
Just wanted some insight......<a very frustrated NEW subaru owner>
So soon after purchasing my '02 Wrx w/ 21K miles, i hear a strange "pinging" like noise coming from the engine compartment under relief of the gas pedal when doing moderate acceleration above 3K rpms........
Take it in for warranty work and Subaru tells me that the car was in a major accident that caused engine damage that would NOT be covered under warranty.
First off the owner told me of a "mild" accident and had everything restored. Didn't tell me of any frame or engine damage. CARFAX does not list ANYTHING about this accident. Clean record.
Subaru claims the accident caused this damage and will not consider this warranty work.
Why not? Not only do i feel cheated by the seller, but i feel cheated by Subaru. How is there proof that the engine work is even related to the accident? (then again i have no way of proving otherwise).
Just wanted some insight......<a very frustrated NEW subaru owner>
Unless they can PROVE it, the law is on your side.
02-09-2004, 03:42 PM
#4
What is actually wrong with the engine? Also, if the prev. owner paid for the repairs himself carfax probably won't have any info. Was the car an "as is" sale? If so you might be screwed. Should have taken it to a dealer (or qualifeid mechanic) before you bought it. the engine should still be under warranty. It just depends whats wrong with it. If there is a stake or something sticking out of a major part or the oil pan is crushed they may be right. Also see if you can talk to the previous owner and see if they have reciepts from the repairs to see who did them and what they did. good luck and sorry about the car.
02-09-2004, 03:44 PM
#5
you do not have to prove other wise. Call Subaru of america and tell them whats going on. I would let them ask about the accident. If all the damage was repaired, how did the dealer know? Must be something. Make them tell you.
02-09-2004, 04:11 PM
#6
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I guess they were able to tell that there was some accident because certain little things are missing or have been clearly replaced. Subframe is apparently slightly out of whack. The entire fix job was done via insurance. Guy also said the exhaust manifold is slightly loose.
They wont have an estimate until they take my $175 and do a diagnosis. "9 times out of 10 you can tell if it's accident related", they tell me.
I'm rather disappointed because I spent some time looking over the car, and there were no signs that the car was in bad shape. Perhaps my mistake was in not taking it to a SUBARU dealership to get it checked out. i DID take it to a place but it wasn't subaru.
I'm really depressed as this was essentially to replace my mustang that's falling apart. And this is my first real car purchase and i thought i did everythign right. :'( I'm really disappointed in myself.
They wont have an estimate until they take my $175 and do a diagnosis. "9 times out of 10 you can tell if it's accident related", they tell me.
I'm rather disappointed because I spent some time looking over the car, and there were no signs that the car was in bad shape. Perhaps my mistake was in not taking it to a SUBARU dealership to get it checked out. i DID take it to a place but it wasn't subaru.
I'm really depressed as this was essentially to replace my mustang that's falling apart. And this is my first real car purchase and i thought i did everythign right. :'( I'm really disappointed in myself.
02-09-2004, 05:01 PM
#9
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A local news station by my Dad was offering free "carfax" assesments. The car was an '87 Shelby Lancer.
Carfax basically said the car was in premium condition (ie low mileage and never been "bent" in any way).
Truth is that it's sinking into the ground next to his house. Drove the hell out of that thing. Two or three major accidents, two engines, countless other repairs (including a new front clip), and almost 300k miles. Yeah he has a genuine collectable.
It does still run though.....for a minute or two (whenever the rod knock becomes too much or it starts to overheat).
Carfax basically said the car was in premium condition (ie low mileage and never been "bent" in any way).
Truth is that it's sinking into the ground next to his house. Drove the hell out of that thing. Two or three major accidents, two engines, countless other repairs (including a new front clip), and almost 300k miles. Yeah he has a genuine collectable.
It does still run though.....for a minute or two (whenever the rod knock becomes too much or it starts to overheat).
02-09-2004, 11:17 PM
#11
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Id agree with calling Subaru direct and talking to them. If they absolutely say there is no way that they will warrenty then go talk to the previous owner. Tell him your situation and if the receipts say that the work done was suppose to fix it go to the shop who fixed it and tell them to fix what they did wrong. If all else fails sue the guy for the cost of a new engine and whatever labor. And if you have to buy a new engine the STI shortblock isnt too much. Good luck! -Todd-
02-10-2004, 06:02 AM
#12
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Could you try taking the car to where you originally had it inspected (the non-Subaru place)? Do they have any kind of guarantee after they looked the car over?
02-10-2004, 09:34 AM
#13
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Just want to tell you how thankful I am of everyone's advice and support here. I've navigated to other boards in regards to this and I get nothing by juvenile, immature responses. So, I appreciate everything you guys are recommending and saying. 
What exactly can Subaru of America do if I call them directly? I would think SOA would be on the side of their dealership rather than mine. It kind of stinks because my girlfriend just bought a '97 Outback and is now probably going to turn away from the Subaru dealership for service.
I do have the original documentation from the previous owner's insurance company that "guarantees that the workmanship of the repairs listed....will be of the quality generally accepted in teh automobile repair business. The limit of Allstate's (insurance company) obligation under this guarantee will be to remedy any departures from such standard. This guarantee will continue during your ownership of the vehicle identified on the estimate."
Somehow I doubt the original repair shop that did the insurance work would remedy the issues that were "apparently" discovered by the Subaru dealership. Besides, i dont know if the guarantee complies now that ownership has been changed......though theoretically the car isn't mine yet. (brought the car in for check engine light to pass smog and then send in transfer of ownership paperwork).
What exactly can Subaru of America do if I call them directly? I would think SOA would be on the side of their dealership rather than mine. It kind of stinks because my girlfriend just bought a '97 Outback and is now probably going to turn away from the Subaru dealership for service.
I do have the original documentation from the previous owner's insurance company that "guarantees that the workmanship of the repairs listed....will be of the quality generally accepted in teh automobile repair business. The limit of Allstate's (insurance company) obligation under this guarantee will be to remedy any departures from such standard. This guarantee will continue during your ownership of the vehicle identified on the estimate."
Somehow I doubt the original repair shop that did the insurance work would remedy the issues that were "apparently" discovered by the Subaru dealership. Besides, i dont know if the guarantee complies now that ownership has been changed......though theoretically the car isn't mine yet. (brought the car in for check engine light to pass smog and then send in transfer of ownership paperwork).
02-10-2004, 10:43 AM
#14
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Isn't there some law somewhere that says if you privately buy it, even if they're selling it "as is" that you have "x" amount of days to return it? Or maybe that was just for younger buyers? Definately look into this.
Better yet, the car isn't quite yours yet? Give them the busted thing back. Is there anyway you can back out now?
Better yet, the car isn't quite yours yet? Give them the busted thing back. Is there anyway you can back out now?
02-10-2004, 11:27 AM
#15
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Yeah as for the law stuff, I dont know....
I'd love to back out now.
I gave him 80% of the value and told him i would give him the remaining 20% after getting the car checked for the check engine light and smogged. Any fees accrued would be removed from teh 20% i owed him. So....i haven't sent in the pink slip with my info because i dont have the car smog yet.....
I'd love to back out now.
I gave him 80% of the value and told him i would give him the remaining 20% after getting the car checked for the check engine light and smogged. Any fees accrued would be removed from teh 20% i owed him. So....i haven't sent in the pink slip with my info because i dont have the car smog yet.....